Macomb County Child Support

Child Support

Michigan, like all states, recognizes that both parents have an obligation to provide financial support to their shared children to the extent that they are able to do so. When a couple with children separates or divorces, that obligation does not end. Child support is the court-ordered amount paid by one parent to the other to help cover expenses related to the child(ren).

When a couple with shared children divorces, child support must be addressed in the divorce settlement. Parents who were never married to each other can also bring a case for child support if they cannot agree between them on how to support their children.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Michigan?

In general, child support amounts are based on the annual number of overnights you spend with your child, and Michigan courts are awarding fathers equal or expanded parenting time on an increasing basis.

Under Michigan’s Child Support Guidelines, child support awards in the state are determined by a complex formula that is based largely on the number of overnights that each party receives with the child on an annual basis. This new formulation recognizes that parties providing substantial care for a child deserve lower child support obligations. However, the formula also has the unintended effect of encouraging less involved parents to insist on additional overnights just to gain a reduction in support amounts.

In addition to the basic support obligation, courts will also consider costs for childcare and medical expenses for the child(ren). These may be determined using default calculations, or they can be based on the actual costs anticipated. A skilled lawyer can help you petition the court for an exception to the standard obligation amounts when appropriate.

You Deserve Well-Crafted Child Custody and Support Agreements

For years many involved fathers have been relegated to secondary parenting status simply because of their gender. This was not right. Joint custody with equal overnights is now commonly being awarded to fathers in Michigan. In many cases, this is an appropriate parenting time schedule. In other cases, equal parenting time is a one-size fits all approach that is over-utilized by uninvolved parents to minimize child support obligations.

Likewise, if you are a primary caregiver, you may be faced with an opportunistic demand for equal parenting time by a less involved parent who is motivated by a desire to reduce their child support obligation. Parenting time schedules are not a one-size fits all device to be applied in the same manner to each case. On the contrary, the law requires a plan individually tailored to the best interests of each child.

We Help Clients Seek Fair Child Support Terms

Whether you are paying or receiving child support, the guidance of an experienced legal advocate can be critical. A knowledgeable family law attorney can help you ensure that your child’s needs are truly met and guide you in resolving conflicts related to child support. To learn more about how we can help you, send us a message or call our office today to schedule your free consultation with our team.